A large number of people participated in the India Day parade held in New York, USA. A carnival tableau with a picture of Ram Mandir was also part of the parade.
People participating in the India Day parade played patriotic songs. People were seen playing drums and dancing while participating in the parade carrying Indian flags.
Religious songs were played as tableaux moved through the streets during the carnival. The wooden tableaus primarily depicted the Ram Mandir – a grand pink sandstone temple built for Lord Rama in the city of Ayodhya.
The entire structure of the Ram temple, which was made of wood, was decorated with flowers.
#Watch | India Day parade scenes from New York; Carnival tableau with picture of Ram Mandir also part of parade pic.twitter.com/EJ25i3JWhy
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2024
The 18-foot long, nine-foot wide and eight-foot high tableau has been primarily built in India and was sent by air cargo to participate in the parade.
The idol of Ram Lalla was unveiled at a Prana Pratishtha ceremony after an hour-long ritual in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh on January 22 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The parade marched downtown on Madison Avenue from East 38th Street to East 27th Street. In addition to the parade, there was a stage for cultural performances and a festival with more than 45 booths and food vendors.
According to the Federation of Indian Associations, the parade included over 40 tableaux, over 50 marching groups and over 30 marching bands as well as celebrities and dignitaries.
Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha was the grand marshal and chief guests included Indian actor Pankaj Tripathi and MP Manoj Tiwari.
Speaking to ANI, Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj said, “I have come to New York to participate in the India Day parade on the invitation of the Indian-American community. People are excited to participate in the India Day parade. Various tableaux depicting India’s divine culture, our timeless, Mrityunjay and Sanatan culture and its values are seen here. All the tableaux here are very amazing.”
He said, “The tableau of Ram temple has attracted a lot of attention. The tableau of Ram temple shows that Indian culture considers the whole world as one family. It sees the same God in all human beings. And our culture says that the same Brahma is omnipresent… We Indians give the message of equality. We Indians consider the whole world as one family. We Indians pray for the welfare of all. We have gathered here today… This is the biggest and the largest parade in the world and it reflects the whole of India.”
A group representing Indian American Muslims has withdrawn its float from the parade following a controversy over the inclusion of a Ram Mandir tableau, saying it reflects anti-Muslim bias.
Just hours before the parade, the Federation of Indian Associations, the group organising the event, spoke exclusively to ANI and said that the tableau celebrates the inauguration of a historical site significant to Hindus.
Federation of Indian Associations president Ankur Vaidya said the parade represents the diversity of the country and will include tableaux from various communities of India.
Vaidya said, “It is a proud moment to gather here with our community members. I have been volunteering here since 2008 and this year is special. This is because we are displaying a replica of the Ram temple on Madison Avenue to establish the values of harmony and peace for all. We Hindus pray that Lord Ram solves all problems. This is a march for goodwill and peace for all.”
Mr. Vaidya said that preparations for the march are in full swing.
He said, “For the last 20 years the New York Police Department and the Mayor have supported us in the matter of the parade. FIA President Avinash Gupta, the media, the sponsors and the participants have been our strong pillars of support because whatever we have suffered for something as innocent as displaying a small version of our faith in a peaceful manner and as law-abiding citizens, is justified. This is the 42nd parade in New York City and it is the oldest and largest India Day parade in the US.”
Mr Vaidya urged all participants to stay calm, peaceful and happy. He said, “I urge all participants to stay calm, peaceful and happy, positive and follow all laws of New York City. Let’s have a great parade and make our community, motherland America and motherland India proud.”
The India Day Parade in New York City has been held every year for over four decades to mark the celebration of India’s independence. The four-decade-old annual celebration in New York City will celebrate the 42nd annual India Day Parade on the busy streets of New York.
Several Indian Americans from different religions shared their views with ANI about the situation, some of whom condemned the false narratives being spread on social media.
In a statement on August 14, the Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT-NE said, “We find ourselves under intense scrutiny for organizing a peaceful community event that our dedicated volunteers have worked tirelessly to prepare for. This malicious and hate-filled scrutiny spread on social media has resulted in the loss of sponsors – the lifeblood of our event – and increased fear-mongering, leaving law-abiding citizens concerned about potential unruly conduct due to hateful messages circulating online.”
The statement further said, “Our tableau celebrating the inauguration of a sacred site significant to crores of Hindus has been desecrated by derogatory name-calling and the authorities and mainstream are silent. I respectfully ask if such name-calling would be directed at any other community’s place of worship? The answer is clearly no.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
